
Should You Attend Interior Design School?
Popular Interior Design Schools * Academy of Art University * International Academy of Design and Technology - Tampa * Harrington College of DesignInterest in interior design schools is always consistently high, perhaps because interior design is such a vibrant, creative profession. Interior designers are in demand for their skills at creating inviting, livable interior spaces, utilizing their knowledge of texture, color, composition, design, lighting, health and safety. These are all topics taught at interior design schools and are not generally easy to learn on one’s own.
An interior design career can be very lucrative, with designers making an average of around $40, 000 (according to Bureau of Labor Statistics) but many earning much more than that. To become an interior designer, one must graduate from an accredited interior design program and pass the National Conference of Interior Design Qualifications exam. The following are some interior design specialties that might interest you:
* Interior decorating
* Interior design
* Set design
* Commercial interior design
* Exhibit design
* Lighting design
* Space planner
You can learn all of these specialties by earning an interior design degree. How long will it take you to earn your degree? The top interior design schools are generally four year programs, though it is possible to attend an online interior design school or earn an AA degree that will get you in the work world faster.
Many online directories can help you to find the perfect school for your interior design education. When researching interior design programs, you may want to consider the quality of the faculty, average class size, the school’s reputation or ranking, the school’s record in finding graduates jobs, and things such as location and cost of tuition.
What does it take to establish a successful interior design career? Interior designers are creative and have an eye for good design. They must also have an expert color sense and a flair for arranging furniture or other elements. Beyond aspects of design, those interested in a career in interior design will also need to learn about business and communicating with clients. With the necessity to master all of these varying areas, you can see why choosing a top interior design school is very important.
If you are worried about paying for your education, it is important to keep a couple of things in mind. First of all, there are many financial aid programs available to help you with tuition. If you are concerned about taking out a loan, remember that many interior designers are able to establish financially rewarding careers that will make it easy for you to pay back your loan. Second, many interior design schools can help you look for scholarships and other opportunities. The American Architecture Foundation, the International Furnishings and Design Association, and the American Society of Interior Designers Educational Foundation all have scholarship programs that are worth looking into.
If you have a creative bent, attending an interior design school may be the perfect move for you. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a satisfying and lucrative career in the field of interior design.
Interior Design SchoolWhat can an Interior Design School Offer You?Interior design school can set you on your way to a lucrative career option. Interior design schools train students to attain certificate programs such as BFA, BA, MFA and MA programs in interior design. As a student you can pick a course that best suits your requirement and career aspirations.
What is Interior DesignInterior design is a process that involves converting a selected space into an aesthetic and conducive environment. This conversion is based on the end use of the selected area. For example, the interior design of a kitchen will vary greatly from the design of a bedroom or dining area.
An interior design career will normally include three distinct phases which are planning, design and execution. As an interior designer you will need to work in close collaboration with your client. You will need to incorporate their ideas with your creativity to meet their demanding level of satisfaction.
Creativity, imagination and lateral thinking will go a long way in ensuring that you become a good interior designer. At the same time as a successful interior designer you should be practical and achieve desired results within a specified time and at a reasonable cost.
A Formal EducationIn order to set your self up for success, a formal education where you study interior design is highly recommended. In most interior design schools the major emphasis lies on drafting, however the courses will also introduce you to current trends in design, rules and regulations, safety requirements and other standard practices.
For the benefit of students who do not have time to attend a full time program, online interior design schools offer flexible degree programs. These programs are often very similar to on campus programs and students who registers for these online programs can chose their time of study and take their classes from the comfort of their homes.
Degrees OptionsSelecting a college for pursuing your interior design degree depends on your goals and present qualifications.
If you are already employed and are looking at becoming a professional interior designer, a certificate interior design program can be an ideal option. This will allow you to continue to study towards a BFA or a BA program at a later date.
If you are aspiring to be an interior designer, BFA and BA programs are offered by many interior design schools. This will provide a good foundation for a successful career.
If you already have an undergraduate degree, the MFA program is worth pursuing if you wish to gain specialized skills and knowledge. A master interior design degree can really separate you from the competition.
Selecting a CollegeSelecting a suitable college for completing your degree usually depends on the type of degree you’re looking to obtain, where you want to attend school, and the cost of the interior design program. However, your residential location may not be a constraint if you join an online interior design school. An online art school directory is a easy and fast way for you to narrow down your search.
Interior design jobsOnce you obtain an interior design degree, you can join a company as a trainee designer under an experienced designer. At this stage you need to concentrate your efforts in leaning from the experience of others. It will give you a good base to build your skills.
Another alternative is to be self employed and be your own boss. However, this is a choice most suited for those who already have sufficient experience and exposure in this field.
If you decide to be self employed after completing your degree from a top interior design school, you should understand that there may not be regular monthly income. However, you get flexible working hours and have the freedom to do what you want to do without any pressure.
Nature of workThe basic work of a professional who takes up an interior design career involves design of interiors of buildings and rooms. The range of activities performed by any interior designer will include:
1. Meet and negotiate with clients. Exchange of ideas and analysis of requirements and budget
2. Develop basic plans to suit requirements within constraints such as physical dimensions and budgets.
3. Prepare basic design sketches for customer approval
4. Work out color schemes, lighting, fabrics and furnishings and other fittings
5. Prepare preliminary cost estimates
6. Obtain client approvals that may require rework and redesigning
7. Finalize the work contract with the client
8. Prepare detailed drawing of the schemes that have client approval
9. Release of detailed drawings for the execution of the contract
10. Prepare bid documents for job execution
11. Bid evaluation for selecting contractors
12. Monitor and control progress of work if required by client
A self employed professional would need to address all these issues for successful project execution. Top interior design schools will cover most of these areas in their course work and help you prepare for these challenges.